Do’s And Don’ts Of Winterproofing Your Home

With winter in full swing, temperatures are dropping both indoors and outdoors. Still, it’s not too late to get ready for the rest of what the season brings. 

How do we keep our homes efficiently warm and ready to survive the winter? What are the best ways to winterproof your home? Consider these simple practices you should include and which habits you should avoid to keep your home cosy and safe this year.

Don’ts to avoid

As the colder air rolls in, many of us have habits that we fall back on to try and keep warm, but these can leave our home inefficiently heated and potentially damage our property. Avoid the following five dont’s common among homeowners:

Ignore inefficient heating

If you notice you are turning up the thermostat but aren’t seeing much of a difference in how warm your house feels, make sure you check your heating components. There may be something wrong with your system that could require immediate attention.

For example, if you notice your radiator isn’t heating on the top of the unit, water may need to be drained to remove air trapped inside. If bleeding doesn’t fix the problem, it may be time to purchase a new radiator from a trusted retailer.

Allow moisture to build up

Condensation on windows is a common occurrence when the temperature drops but the heating is on inside. But it’s important not to ignore this moisture in the hopes that your heating will somehow remove it on its own.

Investing in dehumidifiers is important because they pull moisture from the air, leaving your home toasty and mould-free. If you live in especially wet coastal areas, this is a must-have to keep your home and family safe.

Let draughts in

It’s easy to ignore draughts and small gusts of air by crawling under a blanket and cranking up the heat. But refusing to fix even small amounts of heat escaping from old windows, door cracks, and broken sealants can really put a dent in your wallet and strain your heating system.

By using simple and cost-effective fixes like draught excluders or window insulation seals, you can keep the warm air inside from escaping. Be sure to also close interior doors to heat rooms faster and keep warm air trapped in the space you’re occupying.

Turn off your thermostat at night

Some may try to save on heating costs by turning off their system when they go to bed. After all, it seems logical to conclude you’ll run your system less, especially when you need less heat bundled up under the covers. But this couldn’t be more wrong. 

When your system is off, it requires more time and energy to bring it back up to normal temperature the next day, especially if freezing temperatures occur overnight. By keeping your system on but at a lower temperature, it will take less time and energy to heat your home the next morning.

Hang clothes on the radiator

Most of us have been guilty of this at some point. Because UK winters are especially wet and tumble dryers pull massive amounts of energy, a common quick fix is to lay clothes on the radiator to get them to dry quickly. 

While this may seem like an easy solution, it can seriously damage your radiator by preventing heat from escaping properly and exposing it to moisture. A better and more efficient solution is to leave your radiators free from cover and use your dehumidifier to pull moisture from both your clothes and the room.

Do’s to try out

These actions are easily overlooked, and some homeowners may be unaware they should be taking these steps to protect their property from the cold. Take the following steps to get your space ready:

Cover pipes exposed to cold

Pipes carrying hot water and those exposed in unheated areas like external walls need to be insulated properly. Leaving these pipes exposed can cause freezing blockages and pipe bursts.

You can purchase wool or foam insulation to wrap around your pipes and prevent freezing, especially during the dead of winter.

Add thick rugs and soft furnishings

If you own a home with hardwood floors, you know how cold the bare ground feels on your feet first thing in the morning.

Underfloor heating can be costly, so a simple fix is to add plush rugs to your bare floor during the winter months. Use fluffy throws and thick, heavy curtains for added warmth and insulation to your living room or bedroom. 

Get gutters cleaned

It’s easy to forget about your gutters when you’re spending less time outdoors and not paying much attention to the exterior of your home. But cleaning them before winter begins is an important task.

Blockages from debris and fallen leaves can cause water to overflow on your roof’s edge. This means rather than draining properly through the pipe system, it flows down exterior walls, making its way into the cavity between and causing serious water damage and mould over time. 

Have them professionally cleaned every six months to avoid this issue and keep water from snow and rain draining away from your home.

Find the best rate for your electricity and gas company

Re-evaluating your energy contract for both gas and electricity can be a pain. Still, it’s a necessary and quick way to cut down costs before the worst of the unpredictable weather begins. Shop around for the best rates for your area and make adjustments to ensure you aren’t paying more than you should.

Inspect your attic 

Finally, be sure to have a roofer come to inspect your room before any serious storms or snow begins. Roofing experts can quickly spot signs of dampness in your attic and fix a minor problem before it becomes a costly roof replacement as we as installing insulation if needed. We recommend insulation installer Northern Ireland as an expert in this area.

Many contractors will do this evaluation for free. Always remember that prevention is better than a cure. 

Conclusion

It can be tough staying warm during the winter, but following these guidelines can make sure you’re ready for whatever the weather brings. Be sure to do all you can to keep your property and family cosy and safe this season.

If you enjoyed this blog post, check out our latest home tips on our DIY page!

Post in collaboration.

Follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter